The notorious Drimnagh criminal, who previously survived an assassination attempt, was being questioned by gardai last night in relation to the incident where a woman was killed while crossing the road.

Caroline Watkins (40), from Lally Road, Ballyfermot, was crossing near the Golden Bridge Luas stop in Davitt Road, Inchicore, when she was hit by the vehicle.

The car failed to stop, ploughed into her and drove away from the scene.

It is believed that the well-known criminal may have been fleeing from rival criminals when he hit Ms Watkins.

The incident happened at around 10.30pm on Friday and it is understood she hit the windscreen of the car.

Ms Watkins was taken to St James’s Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

Locals in Ballyfermot paid tribute to Ms Watkins, a mother-of-one, who worked in vending machine maintenance.

“She was very nice, but also a very private person,” one woman told

DISTRAUGHT

A family member at her home yesterday said that they were too distraught to talk about what had happened. “We’re not ready,” she said.